IV 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 774 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 10, 2012 Mr. Fattah (for himself, Mr. Roskam, Mr. Dicks, Mr. Towns, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Ms. Loretta Sanchez of California, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Costa, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Ms. Speier, Ms. Richardson, Ms. Norton, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Moore, Mr. McGovern, and Mr. Conyers) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Boys & Girls Clubs of America should be commended for their unique role in improving outcomes for millions of youth and thousands of communities.

Whereas, in 1956, Boys Clubs of America celebrated its 50th anniversary and received a U.S. Congressional Charter which Congress amended and renewed in 1990 as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America; Whereas the Boys & Girls Clubs of America have significantly improved the quality of life for many youth and have transformed them into leaders and responsible citizens of the United States; Whereas the Boys & Girls Clubs, through their efforts and roles in communities nationwide, are having a significant impact on various challenges facing young people today including high school graduation, proficiency in science, technology, engineering, and math and 21st century skill development; Whereas evaluations of specific Boys & Girls Clubs of America programs and the overall club experience have found several outcomes linked to participation, including reduction in delinquent behaviors, increased academic achievement, increased access to and safe utilization of technology, and increased career goals and improved attitudes toward school; Whereas the Boys & Girls Clubs effectively leverage limited Federal investment to support clubs in the most underresourced of communities, raising the majority of their funding privately; Whereas Boys & Girls Clubs serve diverse youth in urban, suburban, and rural communities and on military bases and Native American reservations; Whereas there are currently 3,985 chartered Boys & Girls Clubs serving 4.1 million young people; Whereas, on April 28, 2012, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America signed an agreement with FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in St. Louis to bring competitive robotics programs to 4 million American youth by 2015; and Whereas Boys & Girls Clubs provide direction for children that helps improve outcomes and reduces risky or anti-social behavior among youth by providing positive role models: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)commends the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for their work serving the youth of our Nation and strengthening our communities; (2)recognizes the importance of high-impact youth mentoring in ensuring positive outcomes for youth of all backgrounds; (3)supports youth mentoring as a strategy to reduce anti-social and risky youth behavior and develop productive, contributing young adults; (4)encourages the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to continue and expand programs that expose young people to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM); and (5)commits to find ways to increase the Federal strategic and financial partnerships between the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and various Federal agencies and departments in order to serve even more young people.